Married in a Daze - Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Qin Zhenzhen thought the incident from earlier would make Lu Ruyun feel awkward and uncomfortable. She never expected Lu Ruyun to emerge from the bathroom looking completely composed, even casting a faint glance her way: "Aren't you going in?"
"Going, going in," Qin Zhenzhen hunched her shoulders slightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to just now."
Lu Ruyun gave a light nod. "It's fine. I'll remember to lock the door in the future."
Qin Zhenzhen quickly waved her hands. "No need, no need." As soon as she said it, she noticed Lu Ruyun looking at her with a questioning gaze. She seemed to realize the ambiguity in her own words and gave a wry smile. "I'll knock."
Lu Ruyun lowered her eyelashes and brushed past her.
Watching her slender figure, Qin Zhenzhen's mind involuntarily flashed back to that startling glimpse earlier. A strange fire kindled in her chest. She hurriedly averted her gaze and entered the bathroom.
After coming out, feeling like a whole new woman again, Qin Zhenzhen saw Lu Ruyun having breakfast. Her posture was elegant as she drank milk, her long, slender neck slightly tilted back, her delicate collarbone, and the black strands of hair disappearing into her pajamas—all of it was distracting.
Qin Zhenzhen swallowed hard. The mental defenses she had just built up in the bathroom instantly crumbled.
Fortunately, Ji Lu arrived just in time, interrupting her reverie. Qin Zhenzhen snapped out of her daze, walked quickly to the door, and opened it. Ji Lu stood outside, smiling at Qin Zhenzhen. "Ready to go?"
Qin Zhenzhen straightened her clothes. "Yes."
She then turned to look at Lu Ruyun at the dining table. "Teacher Lu, I should finish around ten. I'll have Lulu come pick you up then."
Lu Ruyun glanced at the bread on the opposite table, her expression cooling by two degrees. "No need. Shuangshuang will take me over."
Qin Zhenzhen nodded. "Alright then. See you later."
Lu Ruyun's farewell was still unsaid when the sound of the door closing reached her ears. The bread she was chewing instantly lost its sweetness, becoming hard to swallow.
After getting in the car, Qin Zhenzhen took the breakfast Ji Lu handed her. Ji Lu took a sip of soy milk and said, "We'll go to Sister Zhao's place first."
"Mm," Qin Zhenzhen replied vaguely through her food. The car drove all the way to Sister Zhao's studio. The last time Qin Zhenzhen saw her was when she was heading to Director Zheng Shaoyuan's dinner; now, she was indeed going to participate in Director Yu Changlin's new film.
The twists of fate in life were truly marvelous.
After getting out of the car, Sister Zhao exchanged pleasantries with Qin Zhenzhen. As usual, Ji Lu hovered nearby, urging them to hurry. Sister Zhao, seeing her unchanged antics, shot her an exasperated look and then draped the prepared outfit over Qin Zhenzhen.
A long gown, paired with ten-centimeter high heels and a sleeveless jacket on the outside. After changing, Sister Zhao quickly applied Qin Zhenzhen's makeup. Qin Zhenzhen hadn't rested well the night before; her complexion was somewhat wan, and her dark circles were a bit heavy. Sister Zhao muttered a few words, telling her to take care of herself and rest more. Hearing the familiar chiding, Qin Zhenzhen smiled and agreed.
Time slipped by. A little past eight, they had already arrived at the venue. While called an opening ceremony, it was more like a press conference, held at the investor's company. Upon arrival, Qin Zhenzhen was led by a staff member through the back door. One could easily imagine the main entrance being completely blocked by reporters.
They were all eager about the news that movie queen Tang Ya was participating in this film, especially looking forward to getting first-hand information. After being led inside, Qin Zhenzhen saw Director Yu Changlin.
Yu Changlin was talking to someone next to him, nodding occasionally. Seeing Qin Zhenzhen enter, he beckoned. "Zhenzhen, come here."
Qin Zhenzhen walked over and saw the person standing beside him was Chen Feng.
Chen Feng was in his late forties and could be considered a seasoned actor. However, he had always acted in anti-Japanese war dramas, so Qin Zhenzhen wasn't very familiar with him. Seeing him here now, he was presumably playing the politician in the film.
Yu Changlin said to Chen Feng, "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives."
Qin Zhenzhen smiled and extended her hand. "Hello, Teacher Chen."
Chen Feng shook her hand. "Miss Qin, no need for formalities. Actually, I've heard your name before."
Qin Zhenzhen lowered her head, somewhat embarrassed. It wasn't hard to guess that Chen Feng was referring to the recent incident with Director Zheng Shaoyuan. She smoothed her long hair. "Teacher Chen must be laughing at me."
Chen Feng's upright face showed a gentle expression. "How could that be? Teacher Sun praised you to the skies."
Qin Zhenzhen was taken aback. "Teacher Sun?" She then smiled. "So Teacher Sun and Teacher Chen are friends."
Chen Feng smiled. "Old friends."
With this connection, Qin Zhenzhen and Chen Feng seemed to instantly grow closer. By the time Ji Lu returned from buying water, she saw the two sitting together, chatting and laughing. She could only retreat a few steps and stand behind them.
The stage area had just been set up. Reporters were already trickling in, each holding a camera, whispering among themselves.
"Isn't the female lead Tang Ya? Who's the male lead? Any news?"
"Don't know. I heard someone saw her at the audition, not sure if it's true."
"But didn't Tang Ya say she was taking a break recently?"
"Maybe she'll rest after finishing this film. This is Director Yu's film, you know. It's not some random production."
"True."
Endless discussions filled the venue. They speculated about the film's lead actors and actresses, its plot, its director Yu Changlin, and finally connected it to recent related events.
Zheng Shaoyuan's name gradually came up.
The buzz spread through the air across the entire venue. Backstage, someone also whispered, "I heard Director Zheng is having a rough time this time. The investors are pulling out."
"Ah, he has connections. Even if they pull out, he can find new investors. No need for us to worry."
"Pah, pah, pah! Who's worried? I'm disgusted!"
"Who isn't? He's a rat crossing the street now, everyone shouts for his head."
"And that Wei An... tsk, who would have thought she was that kind of person."
Qin Zhenzhen glanced around seemingly without purpose and lowered her eyelashes. A round of applause came from the stage. A staff member trotted over to Chen Feng. "Teacher Chen, you can go on stage now."
Chen Feng smiled at Qin Zhenzhen, got up, and walked towards the stage.
After the male lead was confirmed, it was Qin Zhenzhen's turn to prepare. She stood behind the red curtain. Ji Lu checked her from head to toe again, nodded when everything was fine. Qin Zhenzhen took a deep breath. Hearing "Please welcome Miss Qin Zhenzhen" echoing through the venue, she walked out from backstage with her head held high.
A wave of commotion erupted below. Numerous camera flashes lit Qin Zhenzhen up. Composed, she walked slowly out, stood beside Chen Feng, and flashed her signature smile at the reporters below the stage.
"Qin Zhenzhen? Not Tang Ya?"
"Huh, it's Qin Zhenzhen?"
"Ah, Qin Zhenzhen."
Qin Zhenzhen stood at the front of the stage, linking arms with Chen Feng, politely nodding slightly to the reporters, a faint smile always on her face. Yu Changlin stood in the center. A reporter raised a hand to ask, "Director Yu, is the female lead Miss Qin Zhenzhen?"
Yu Changlin turned his head and smiled. "I thought that was obvious."
His witty remark made everyone laugh. Still, a reporter pressed on relentlessly. "But online rumors previously suggested Miss Tang Ya would collaborate with you. At the time, you didn't clarify. Does this mean you intentionally used Miss Tang Ya's name as a decoy?"
His question cast a slight chill over the scene. Qin Zhenzhen had long known such sharp questions were unavoidable today. She just stood quietly in place, letting others scrutinize her.
The host, seeing the awkward standoff, hurried over, trying to gloss over it with a laugh. Yu Changlin, however, smiled and addressed the reporter. "If I may ask a bold question: Did I ever announce I was collaborating with Miss Tang?"
The reporter was stunned for a few seconds, answering reflexively, "No."
Yu Changlin smiled. "Then what exactly do I need to clarify?"
"That's right! Are these reporters crazy? All they can do is grasp at shadows and stir up trouble!" Ji Lu complained indignantly beside Qin Zhenzhen.
"And these people on Weibo, bragging without fear of spraining their tongues." Ji Lu jabbed at her screen angrily. From her expression, Qin Zhenzhen didn't need to look to know what was being discussed online. Unconcerned, she asked, "What time is it?"
Ji Lu glanced at her wristwatch. "Eleven. Shall we go eat directly?"
Because of those reporters, the opening ceremony had been extended by half an hour. Qin Zhenzhen took her phone from her bag. There wasn't a single text message or missed call. Getting off the stage earlier hadn't dampened her mood, but now she felt a bit unhappy.
She sent Lu Ruyun a message asking where she was. Lu Ruyun quickly replied with two words: At home.
Qin Zhenzhen gave a slight smirk and said to Ji Lu, "Let's head back first."
Ji Lu frowned. "Not eating? Then should I buy something from a shop and bring it back for you?"
Qin Zhenzhen closed her phone. "No need."
Ji Lu assumed she was unhappy because of the earlier events and comforted her. "Zhenzhen, you can be angry, but you shouldn't hurt your own health. You still need to eat."
Qin Zhenzhen turned to look at her. "Who said I'm not eating?"
Ji Lu was puzzled. "Huh?"
Qin Zhenzhen blinked, a shallow smile forming on her lips. "I'm going to find Teacher Lu and eat together."
Ji Lu: ...
What was with this sudden, sweet smile?
Comments
Post a Comment